E-mail From the Road

Hi Goldie, I am a new rider and I have a hard time keeping up with traffic or others that I am riding with. How can I get my speed up and still feel comfortable?

PatsyFayetteville, AR

Hi Patsy, Many new riders experience the same issue, and trust me, when I say, “the more you ride, the more practice you get and the more confident you will become.” But until you get some miles under your belt, I would suggest that you start at a pace you are comfortable with and one day go just a little faster than your comfort level, but still well within your ability.

You are probably not used to the sensation of speed that a motorcycle gives. Grow into it over time, one step at a time, just like any other challenge in your life. Weather and elements can also contribute to fear or stress in new riders. You might be afraid to increase your speed and still focus on fighting the wind, or rough roads.

I recently had a reader tell me she wears earplugs because a lot of the “edginess” she felt above the 65 MPH speed seemed to be directly related to the wind noise in her helmet. You might want to give them a try and see if it helps. The other point is, as speeds increase, a motorcycle is actually more stable and more resistant to directional change, all things being equal. You know how hard it is to control the bike at a slow speed and it takes time to get comfortable; it’s the same with high speeds.

Keep riding as much as you can, increase your speed gradually, all at your own pace.

Hi Julie, No, Henna tattoos are not permanent. They last approximately two to four weeks.Natural henna dyes the skin a variety of colors that range from pale peach and light orange to dark brown and red. Color varies depending on the type of quality of the henna plant, the recipient’s skin tone and the duration the paste is left on the skin. Because henna is a dye that sinks into the skin, it is darkest when applied to the palms, bottoms of the feet and fingertips where the skin is thickest. The closer to the center of the body, the lighter the stain because there are not as many layers of skin for the henna to sink into.To acquire a dark, lasting stain, the henna paste should be left on as long as possible. The paste will dry and harden and should be scraped off with a fingernail or butter knife. Keeping the design away from water will also enhance its lifespan. The henna’s color will get darker over time, peak, and then start to fade.

They have been around for centuries in a variety of cultures, both modern and ancient.Henna designs differ among cultures. Common Indian symbols include the paisley and the peacock, which both symbolize love and passion, whereas African henna designs are more geometric and abstract. Henna is the Persian name for the Lawsonia inermis plant, whose leaves are dried and then ground into a powder that is mixed with various natural ingredients and oils to produce the paste applied to the skin.

For a little history, henna’s early functions were as a coolant. Large dots were placed on the hands to draw heat out of the body. According to “The Functions of Childbirth and Postpartum Henna Traditions,” by Catherine Cartwright-Jones, women were hennaed on their feet after childbirth as a protection against disease and depression and to keep them from doing housework. The book adds that countries that exercised this tradition had low postpartum depression rates.

Tune in next month for coverage on permanent make up for eyebrows, eyeliner and lips.

Goldie Arnold

“Never rider faster than you angel can fly”

TIP OF THE MONTH: Always hit the kill switch if you have a problem or drop the bike and it’s running.